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Assessment of MSFCs Process for the Development and Activation of Space Act AgreementsA Space Act Agreement (SAA) is a contractual vehicle that NASA utilizes to form partnerships with non-NASA entities to stimulate cutting-edge innovation within the science and technology communities while concurrently supporting the NASA missions. SAAs are similar to traditional contracts in that they involve the commitment of Agency resources but allow more flexibility and are more cost effective to implement than traditional contracts. Consequently, the use of SAAs to develop partnerships has greatly increased over the past several years. To facilitate this influx of SAAs, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) developed a process during a kaizen event to streamline and improve the quality of SAAs developed at the Center level. This study assessed the current SAA process to determine if improvements could be implemented to increase productivity, decrease time to activation, and improve the quality of deliverables. Using a combination of direct procedural observation, personnel interviews, and statistical analysis, elements of the process in need of remediation were identified and potential solutions developed. The findings focus primarily on the difficulties surrounding tracking and enforcing process adherence and communication issues among stakeholders. Potential solutions include utilizing customer relationship management (CRM) software to facilitate process coordination and co-locating or potentially merging the two separate organizations involved in SAA development and activation at MSFC.
Document ID
20140016904
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Abstract
Authors
Daugherty, Rachel A.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
December 2, 2014
Publication Date
October 27, 2014
Subject Category
Law, Political Science And Space Policy
Report/Patent Number
M15-4210
Meeting Information
Meeting: Wernher von Braun Memorial Symposium
Location: Huntsville, AL
Country: United States
Start Date: October 27, 2014
End Date: October 29, 2014
Sponsors: American Astronautical Society
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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